Chapter 428: Ace Is Rescued!

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

(15 chapters of the new book are already released in p.atreon)

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(Amenotejikara!)

In an instant, Sasuke and Ace's positions were swapped!

Garp was momentarily stunned as he saw Sasuke suddenly appear beside him while Ace vanished.

'What just happened?'

'Why did they switch places?!'

Seeing Garp momentarily distracted, Sasuke wasted no time.

'This is my chance!'

He swiftly activated his Susanoo, extending its massive arm to grab Sabo and the others before flying toward Ace, who lay on the ground.

Halfway through his movement, Garp snapped out of his daze and reacted instinctively.

"Get back here!"

With a clenched fist, he delivered a devastating punch to the Susanoo's back.

CRACK!

A loud impact echoed as fractures spread across the Susanoo's armor, making Sasuke's expression change slightly.

'What the hell?!'

'This old man didn't even use Armament Haki, yet a punch still cracked the Susanoo? That's insane!'

Fortunately, rather than stopping Sasuke, Garp's punch actually propelled him forward, allowing him to reach Ace even faster.

"Sasuke!"

Ace's eyes lit up with shock and joy.

He hadn't expected Sasuke to rescue him so effortlessly.

Even more surprising was that Sabo had also been freed!

"Uchiha Sasuke!"

Sengoku, who was locked in a fierce battle with Whitebeard, noticed the sudden change and roared in anger.

The purple Susanoo, now holding the very target of the execution, was flying toward the Moby Dick.

This meant only one thing—the Marine's plan was on the verge of complete failure!

Not only had they failed to erase the so-called "evil bloodline" before the eyes of the world, but they had also exposed their own incompetence for everyone to see.

The Tables Turned rather quickly.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several figures suddenly appeared beside Garp.

Leading them was Kong, his expression dark and foreboding.

Originally, he had planned to wait and watch, anticipating a move from the Revolutionary Army's leader, Dragon, but Sasuke's unexpected ability had completely shattered his calculations.

"Cut the live broadcast! Block all signals immediately!" Kong commanded without hesitation, determined to prevent further escalation.

****

"Gurararara! Well done, Sasuke!"

Whitebeard let out a hearty laugh, sending Sengoku flying with a devastating punch before looking up at Sasuke and Ace in the sky with satisfaction.

Marco and the others erupted with excitement.

"Fall back! We've won, my sons!" Whitebeard ordered.

However, before they could retreat—

"Leave?!"

Kong's furious voice rang out.

"None of you Whitebeard Pirates are leaving Marineford today!"

With a wave of his hand, a group of hooded figures surged forward.

They couldn't allow the Whitebeard Pirates to escape so easily—otherwise, how would the world view the Marines after this?

****

Meanwhile, Boa Hancock, who had been observing the battle while turning Marines and pirates to stone, suddenly felt an eerie sense of familiarity.

"Strange… Why do those people look so familiar?"

She wasn't the only one.

Hawkeye, Crocodile, and Jinbei all experienced the same unsettling feeling.

And when the hooded figures finally revealed their faces—

Their eyes widened in shock.

"Damn it! What the hell is this?!"

Hancock cursed in disbelief. Among those figures was a girl identical to her younger self, using the same Petrification powers of the Mero Mero no Mi.

Hawkeye and Crocodile also stiffened.

They recognized their own younger selves among the enemies!

"Hmph! Did you really think the Shichibukai were irreplaceable?"

Kong snorted.

"You pirates have served your purpose. From this moment on, you are officially dismissed."

His words sent a chill down their spines.

Before anyone could react, Kong suddenly turned to address unseen figures.

"Your Excellency, I leave them to you all."

Silence fell across the battlefield.

Who could Kong be addressing with such reverence?

Then—

"Pirates truly are nothing but vermin."

A cold, condescending voice rang out.

Four mysterious figures emerged—each one exuding an overwhelming, suffocating aura.

But what was truly shocking wasn't their aura.

It was their appearance.

The entire battlefield froze.

"My god… Celestial Dragons?!"

Both Marines and pirates alike stared in disbelief.

Those figures, clad in ornate robes and wearing the telltale bubble helmets, were unmistakably Celestial Dragons—yet they stood beside Kong, prepared for battle.

Sengoku was just as stunned as the others.

"Chief Kong… What is going on?!"

Kong's eyes remained cold as he answered.

"These are the God's Knights, a secret organization within the Celestial Dragons."

"I cannot reveal much, but… you will soon understand their power."

A heavy silence fell over the battlefield as the realization set in.

Kong then turned his gaze to Whitebeard, who stood at the forefront, gripping his massive naginata.

Murderous intent filled his eyes.

"Sengoku, Garp! No more holding back!

The future of the Marines depends on this battle!"

With that, Kong lunged at Whitebeard.

At the same time—

The four Celestial Dragons charged at Hawkeye, Hancock, and the others.

Twenty Pacifistas marched onto the battlefield from the execution platform, their eyes glowing ominously.

"Fufufufufu! How fascinating!"

Doflamingo laughed, but behind his sunglasses, his expression was grim.

"Even they've been deployed? Looks like the World Government wants to wipe out every major power in the seas."

Crocodile clenched his fists.

"God's Knights? Why have we never heard of them before?"

Doflamingo's smirk faded as he answered in a serious tone.

"The God's Knights are the Celestial Dragons' most secret weapon, the elite knights who protect them from the shadows."

"They possess overwhelming strength. Even ordinary Celestial Dragons fear them."

"Only the Five Elders can command them."

His voice grew colder.

"And the most terrifying part?"

"They have the power to judge and execute other Celestial Dragons."

A deadly silence followed.

Then—

"Stay sharp. These people… are not to be taken lightly."

The battle for Marineford was about to reach a new level of chaos.